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I am an ethical blogger. Periodically I will blog a paid post, post a paid link, do a product review and/or giveaway that was provided by a company. All content is original, it is from my own perspective, and my own take on the subject. My reviews and opinions are honest.

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About Me

A mama trying to find balance from being a career woman to being a domestic goddess.
Each year, I have enjoyed delving deeper into blogging. Relishing the opportunities to write about a number of subjects. I have also had the pleasure of working with many wonderful companies! I have learned about their products through reviews, and offering other mom's like myself, an opportunity to win a product of their own.
If you have any questions, would like your product reviewed, or for advertising please send me an email. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

I think everyone knows at least one person that is difficult to buy for! Whether it be the person that has everything, the picky poo, the older family member, etc. I have a few of those and have had a heck of a time trying to pick something out for them.

I started looking for unusual gifts and things that would work out for one of those people in my family and came across some modern mailboxes. That would be an interesting gift, especially for the person that has everything!

While browsing through their site I noticed something called blomus mailboxes, which are modern looking and are to be mounted to a wall. I also saw the modern mailboxes, which are right up my alley and stainless steel mailboxes. I think I'm going to have to browse a little more to fully decide on my gift but, this is definitely an option.

When my husband and I went shopping for diamond engagement rings, we spent some time looking at a few stores online and in the shops. I got very frustrated with the options because I often would like a style in some ways but, not in others. I knew that there were certain cuts that I didn't like, and certain wedding bands that I didn't like, etc.

In some ways I liked the diamond eternity rings, I also thought it might be best to pick engagement rings design your own, which we did end up doing through a particular store. I wanted my husband to be involved in the process as well to make it special. Sometimes the man just picks the ring and sometimes the woman picks what she wants. I wanted it to be a joint process and it made it all the more special to me that the design and shape of the stone was just that, a joint effort.

I know many men will consider this holiday season as the one to propose to their ladies, my only suggestion would be to listen to what she wants and likes. Try to keep a mental note of that. Look for the best deals and try not to pay retail for a ring when you can get a beautiful ring at a great price if you do your homework!

Love Hope Faith blog is giving away a Kindle in hopes to raise money and awareness for an adoption of little boy named Trenton who was born with Downs. Go there and enter and if you can make a donation of $1 or more, you gain 10 extra entries!

In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in the egg. Then beat in the vanilla extract. Beat in the cake mix. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up so that you can roll the batter into balls. Roll the chilled batter into tablespoon sized balls and then roll them in confectioner's sugar. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake 12 minutes. The cookies will remain soft and "gooey." Cool completely and sprinkle with more confectioners' sugar, if desired.

Wash 4 medium sweet potatoes and bake them in a 375-degree oven until fork tender, about 30-35 minutes. When they are finished cooking slice them open and scrape out the flesh into a large bowl.Add 1 cup of (regular grandulated) sugar, 1 cup of milk, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon of salt. With a potato masher, mash them up just enough—you don’t want to be perfectly smooth.Now, in a separate bowl, add 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup pecans, chopped (that means measure a cup of pecans, then chop them), ½ cup flour, and ¾ stick of butter. With a pastry cutter or fork, mash together until thoroughly combined.Spread the sweet potato mixture into a regular baking dish and sprinkle the crumb mixture all over the top.Bake in a 400-degree oven for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Ok, so the focal point of most tables during Thanksgiving will be a gorgeous turkey! Here is one recipe I've come across to make the most of your Thanksgiving dinner. Enjoy.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Pull the neck and giblets out of the cavity; ditch the liver and save the rest of the giblets for gravy. Dry the turkey with paper towels, then season inside and out with salt and pepper. Fill the turkey with aromatics like chopped onions, carrots, apples and herbs, then place breast-side up in a roasting pan and brush with melted butter. Tent with foil and roast for 2 hours (for a 10- to 12-pound turkey; add an extra 15 minutes per pound for larger birds). Remove the foil, baste with more melted butter and crank the oven to 425 degrees F. Roast for another hour or until the meat at the thigh registers 165 degrees F. Let rest while you make the gravy.

Each Christmas, I start to get very nostalgic and quite domestic. I think about our times in the past when I was a child, I think about the hard years and the good years. I like to remember all the goodies my Mom and Grandma made and it makes me feel good inside. I like that part of history and I am currently trying to create that for my children now.

I've been going through recipes, trying to figure out what I can make for my family and friends this year as Christmas treats. Last year, I made a few different cookies, including a new recipe for a lemon cookie that I thought was very yummy!

This year I would love to do something different like an English Toffee, a special cake, or even peanut brittle. Peanut brittle seems like a pretty big undertaking though so I may just have to buy some. I think I'm going to have to check the search engines for some quality peanut brittle or recipes that I feel like I can replicate. I'm not really used to making candy, so we'll see...

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Thank you to the men and women, past and present, that have worked diligently to preserve my freedom! Thank you to the families that endure hardships so that their loved ones can "take care of business"

Heat butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook ginger and cinnamon until ginger becomes fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Carefully add amaretto and cook until liquid thickens and reduces by half, about 1 minute. Add cranberries, cherries, sugar and 1/2 cup water. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until cranberries break apart and sauce thickens, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Monday, November 1, 2010

I was just thinking about this recently. I haven't really celebrated Halloween for a long time but, I do have one favorite memory of my friend and I and our last year trick-or-treating. We were in sixth grade and not sure if we really wanted to trick-or-treat. My mom, my brother, and my sister were all gone that night and my friend was staying overnight at my place.

We had no money for costumes and we weren't sure what we wanted to be. Very last minute I said "let's check my moms closet for something". Side note, my mom was always a big pack rat so she had all kinds of stuff. Anyway, we went through my moms closet and found some peasant style blouses and jackpot, a few pair of bell bottom jeans and pants!

We parted our hair down the middle, which was long anyway, and my Jennifer, my friend, put a bandanna around the top of her head. We didn't wear any make up to "look the part", and we threw the clothes on which mostly fit. Mine were way too long but, I made do.

It was cold and rainy so after putting on our jackets, we went around the neighborhood getting candy. We enjoy seeing all the decorations and getting some goodies to remember our last time trick or treating. We even went by an elderly couples house in the neighborhood and they had just made popcorn. The scent of popcorn filled our noses and really made us want some!

The old woman said she had no candy but, wanted to give us the popcorn. We both looked at each other and said "yes, please". After the trick or treating around the neighborhood was done, we went back to my house and went through our loot. It was a memorable way to end that part of our childhood.

It's officially November!!! I'm so excited this is one of my favorite months and it's also the month of my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. I love the food, the friends and family, I love the cooking and baking, and I just love this time of year.

Here's a scrumptious version of stuffing that I think you can make and enjoy with the whole family!

In a large, deep skillet sauté bacon over moderately high heat, stirring, until browned, about 10 minutes. Add celery and onions and cook, stirring, until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Add herbs and salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring, 1 minute.

In a large bowl toss together corn bread and bacon mixture and transfer to baking dish. Stuffing may be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead and cooled completely before being chilled, covered.

Drizzle stock or broth over stuffing and bake, covered, 1 hour. Drizzle reserved fat or butter over stuffing and bake, uncovered, in upper third of oven 30 minutes more, or until top is golden.

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